Job Description

Title: CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Employee Classification: Department Chairperson
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Applied Science and Technology
Department: Health Sciences
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) invites applications for the position of Chair in the Department of Health Sciences (HSC). We are seeking a dynamic, collaborative chair to lead a wide range of programs in the department, which include undergraduate degree programs in Environmental Health and Sustainability, Health Informatics and Management, Health Promotion and Education, Medical Laboratory Science, and Occupational Safety and Health, a Master’s Degree in Public Health, and a number of sequences, minors, and certificates. The Chair is responsible for strategic leadership, fiscal management, student recruitment and retention, curriculum development and review, personnel supervision and mentorship, accreditation, assessment, advancement, and oversight of the teaching and research laboratories. The Chair will encourage and support high quality research, teaching, and service in alignment with the mission, vision, and goals of the department, college, and university. The preferred start date for this position is July 1, 2027.

The position is a twelve-month tenure track appointment. The salary and rank are commensurate with qualifications and experience. A competitive comprehensive benefits package is included.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The Department of Health Sciences:
The Department of Health Sciences at Illinois State University possesses a strong faculty and staff, including 12 tenured and tenure-track faculty, approximately 500 undergraduate students, and 30 graduate students. The department offers several undergraduate and graduate degree programs, sequences, minors, and certificates related to the health sciences, and many of the department’s programs hold national accreditations in their respective discipline areas. The Department of Health Sciences (http://healthsciences.illinoisstate.edu/) is administratively located within the College of Applied Science and Technology (http://cast.illinoisstate.edu/).

Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$150,000-$175,000

Required Qualifications

1) A doctoral degree in an area appropriate to the Department of Health Sciences.
2) Academic achievement that merits appointment with tenure at the rank of associate or full professor (full professor preferred).
3) A demonstrated ability in working and communicating effectively with faculty, staff and students in health sciences.
4) A demonstrated ability and willingness to provide vision and leadership in a collaborative and cohesive manner for a complex unit with a breadth of programs.
5) Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

July 1, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

1) Letter of application
2) Curriculum vitae
3) Statement of leadership philosophy
4) The names and contact details of 3 references

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin October 26, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Dr. Rob Rhykerd
Search Committee Chair
Email: rrhyker@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.